Sonic The Hedgehog Movie Delayed While Sonic Is Redesigned

The Sonic the Hedgehog movie has been delayed to February 14, 2020. The film originally set to be released in November, but following a negative reaction to the design to the titular character in the first trailer, the movie has now been put back three months while he is reworked.

The news came via a tweet from director Jeff Fowler. The tweet reveals the new date, and states that the filmmakers are “taking a little more time to make Sonic just right.” Check it out below:

The trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog was released in April. There was much criticism online about Sonic’s appearance, and within a day Fowler had stated that the character would be redesigned ahead of the films’s release. There was some concern that a complete Sonic redesign in short time would lead to rushed VFX work, but at least now the filmmakers have more time to get the design right.

Criticism for Sonic’s design in the movie was aimed at pretty much every part of the speedy blue hedgehog. Much of the dislike seems to stem from the movie version’s legs, torso, teeth, and eyes. Most of the changes to Sonic’s design in the coming movie currently make him appear uncannily human, which some fans have found unnerving.

Sonic is voiced by Ben Schwartz (Parks and Recreation), with Jim Carry as Dr. Robotnik. Westworld’s James Marsden will feature as a state trooper who catches onto Sonic’s super speed.